Brian Smith, a 2L from Emory University School of Law who was a summer associate in 2007:

As a second half summer associate at Litchford & Christopher, I had an opportunity to work side by side with the firm's other attorneys in completing a variety of substantive litigation matters. The attorneys treated me as their colleague and equal from the very first day of my clerkship. I was trusted to complete assignments for some of the firm's most important matters. Over the course of my summer, I attended hearings, drafted motions, and researched several novel and interesting legal issues.

Litchford & Christopher maintains an intimate and collegial office environment. The attorneys here seem to enjoy and be intellectually challenged by their work. I found it easy to approach any of my colleagues whenever I had questions about pending assignments. To ensure summer associates always have someone to turn to with concerns or questions about the clerkship process the firm has also established a formal mentor program. My clerkship in Orlando overall turned out to be a wonderful experience. Looking back, I realize how much I actually developed as a professional during my month and a half with Litchford & Christopher.

Hutch Hicken, a 2L from William and Mary School of Law who was a summer associate in 2004:

Litchford & Christopher offers a hands-on, intensive litigation experience that attracted me from the start. In comparison to my peers at school I feel that I received a valuable and practical education in the everyday practice of law.

From my first day as a summer associate at Litchford & Christopher, I was treated as a valuable member of a team. My initial assignment was drafting a motion to dismiss an intellectual property claim in federal court against a Fortune 500 client. This turned out to be representative of the caliber of work with which I was entrusted over the summer.

In addition to attending several hearings, I went to a deposition and a mediation. Litigation issues I worked on involved, inter alia, questions concerning intellectual property, antitrust, corporate law, and probate law. Throughout my experience, the shareholders and associates of Litchford & Christopher engaged me in an active process of substantive work and constructive feedback. I always felt each had genuine concern with my progress. Because of the responsive mentoring I received, I never had to question whether I was on the right track.

Much to my satisfaction, I was treated as an equal. The amount of time and effort each attorney invested in assisting me to develop my legal skills convinced me that they were interested in helping a professional colleague rather than creating a perpetual underling. This investment by the firm in me, motivated me to maximize my efforts. Even though I worked quite hard, I discovered myself enjoying it. The attorneys at Litchford & Christopher still find time for an active home and civic life, even though they maintain a high-end practice with marquee clients and interesting cases.

Each attorney and member of the office staff is eminently professional and likable. Having worked in the business sector for several years before attending law school, I can say that I have never been part of a more collegial or amicable professional environment. I wholeheartedly recommend Litchford & Christopher to any self-motivated law student interested in practicing big-firm law in a place where personal exposure to the real world practice of law comes quickly.

Amy L. DeWitt, a 3L from Wake Forest University Law School who was a summer associate in 2002:

During my summer at Litchford & Christopher, I was able to gain the type of practical work experience that associates at larger firms may not see for years. I drafted complaints, motions, and discovery documents for real cases and real clients. This was quite different from the usual research and memo-writing that many other summer associates endure. In addition, as part of their summer program, Litchford & Christopher provides supportive mentors to help you when you need to ask questions. The mentors make sure you have every resource needed to succeed. Most importantly, they allow you to direct what you want out of your summer experience. Litchford & Christopher may be a small firm, but one of utmost professionalism, and my experience was very rewarding.

Wade C. Vose, a 3L from the University of Florida College of Law who was a summer associate in 2002:

Over the course of my summer at Litchford & Christopher, I witnessed first hand litigation practice and lifestyle. The goal of the summer program is to convey an accurate impression of life as an associate. To this end, I was not pigeonholed into one practice area. Instead, I was given the opportunity to work with each attorney in the office on many matters. The small firm atmosphere afforded me the opportunity to participate in multiple stages of a given case. Thus, I was able to see the practical relevance of my work firsthand. Because of Litchford & Christopher's wide range of big firm clients, I constantly worked on challenging and thought-provoking projects that had real world consequences. Throughout the process, I was able to observe and participate in the formulation of advanced litigation strategy. This is an opportunity rarely afforded to summer associates.

The level of professionalism, both within the office and in the courtroom, was unmatched. The attorneys I have worked with here will serve as my role models for professional conduct in the practice of law for many years to come. Clerking with Litchford & Christopher was the best decision I could have made to get a realistic glimpse of my future practicing law.

Kimberly P. Mitchell, a 1L law review student at Cornell University who was a summer associate with us in 2000:

My summer at Litchford & Christopher was a valuable educational and professional experience. The blending of a small firm with a large firm feel was an aspect of the practice that I greatly appreciated. It meant that I was able to work on interesting and challenging projects with attorneys who were readily available. In fact, I had the opportunity to work with each attorney in the office on assignments that extended beyond the research and writing that is typical of a summer associate position. My responsibilities included drafting motions, complaints, and settlement agreements and developing and responding to interrogatories and document requests. In addition to completing stimulating assignments, I had numerous opportunities to observe the attorneys in depositions, court hearings and client meetings.